It is the golden handshake that has sent shockwaves through Nairobi’s corporate corridors. In a deal valued at a staggering $40.1 million (KSh 5.2 billion), billionaire tycoon Peter Muthoka has formally ceded control of Transglobal Cargo Centre to the Turkish aviation giant, Çelebi Aviation.

The acquisition, which sees Çelebi take 100% ownership of the firm trading as Africa Flight Services (AFS), is not just a sale; it is a strategic realignment of Kenya’s logistics spine. Muthoka, a shadowy but immensely powerful figure in Kenya’s logistics and political spheres, has effectively handed over the keys to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s (JKIA) most critical export engine. AFS currently controls 33% of all export cargo at the hub, a dominance that makes this deal a matter of national economic security.

The Anatomy of the Deal

"I have sold to build," Muthoka said in a brief statement, alluding to a desire to diversify his vast portfolio. But insiders point to the "debt related to facility upgrades" that Transglobal had accumulated in its bid to stay world-class. The KSh 5.2 billion cash injection wipes the slate clean and provides Muthoka with a war chest for his remaining flagship, Acceler Global Logistics.

• The Turkish Entry: For Çelebi Aviation, this is a coup. They gain instant dominance in East Africa’s busiest cargo hub without the pain of a greenfield setup. Their CEO, Dave Dorner, called Kenya the "gateway for trade across the region."
• The Market Shake-up: The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) fast-tracked the approval, noting that it would not negatively impact competition. However, local players are jittery. With Turkish capital and technology now at play, the battle for the flower and vegetable export market is set to turn ruthless.

What It Means for the Common Wananchi

While the billions exchange hands in boardrooms, the ripple effects will be felt in the godowns of Embakasi. Transglobal employs hundreds of Kenyans, from loaders to customs agents. Çelebi has promised "new opportunities," a corporate euphemism that unions are eyeing with suspicion. Will efficiency come at the cost of jobs?

For Muthoka, the deal cements his status as one of Kenya's shrewdest dealmakers. He built a logistics empire from scratch, navigated the treacherous waters of state procurement and global competition, and has now exited at the peak of the market. As the Turkish flag is hoisted over the Transglobal warehouses, one thing is clear: the face of Kenyan logistics has changed forever.